Within the Dunkest Draft Mode Guide, we couldn’t miss sharing our recommendations for players to buy during the NBA 2024/25 fantasy draft.
You’re about to discover the tactics to adopt for selecting the best players available and all the players to pick, position by position. Here are the recommended players for the Dunkest NBA Fatasy Draft, organized by position.
- Centers
- Forwards
- Guards
- Possible Surprises
- The Most Interesting Rookies
- The Big to Avoid
Centers
Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
His stock as a big is declining, and we know how his poor playoff performance can affect this evaluation. However, with the NBA regular season approaching, we care little about that: his rebounding presence remains one of the Timberwolves’ strengths, and among mid-to-high tier centers, he’s definitely the best.
Jakob Poeltl (Toronto Raptors)
He belongs to that category of players often underrated. His impact in the league has been consistent for years, yet he is regularly overlooked when discussing reliable centers in every aspect of the game. Last season, he was hindered by an injury, but this year we expect him to play in over 50 games, delivering strong Dunkest Points performances.
Forwards
Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
After the first-round playoff elimination and the exclusion from Team USA, the Duke product must now shoulder the offensive load for the Magic to achieve definitive recognition. He needs to elevate his game to the highest level to be recognized among the league’s greats. This is the year he can truly prove what he’s made of. If he improves his shooting percentages, he can become a superstar in FantaBasket.
Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors)
The choice will likely fall on Podziemski, but Kuminga, whose maximum salary extension request was rejected this summer, is determined to prove he has the potential to earn such a contract. Last season, he showed some inconsistency, but in several games, he accumulated a nice amount of Dunkest Points. Although there are safer options among the forwards, at the right price, he could turn out to be the true steal of the draft.
Guards
Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls)
Giddey with the Bulls is one of the most intriguing signings of the offseason. During the playoffs, he faced criticism for his limited impact in the series against Dallas, but in Chicago, he may have a much more significant role. He will have many more possessions and will play as a “modern” point guard, allowing him to create plays off the dribble—an aspect that fits perfectly with his playing style. The Bulls have little to lose, and we believe in his potential.
Josh Hart (New York Knicks)
The Manhattan franchise will be extremely short under the basket until Mitchell Robinson returns, expected no earlier than December or, at worst, January. Therefore, the ex-Villanova player will have the chance to shine, having made a name for himself in rebounding during his time in New York. Additionally, with Bridges’ arrival, he won’t have to worry about creating plays off the dribble and will be free to exploit his excellent off-ball game.
Possible Surprises
Isaiah Hartenstein (C, Oklahoma City Thunder)
The new addition to the Oklahoma franchise could prove to be the perfect piece for the team’s balance. Chet Holmgren has shown himself to be solid on both ends, but he is physically too weak to face some of the league’s bigs. To address this, OKC signed the former player of OKC, who has all the tools to adapt well to the game and philosophy of Coach Daigneault.
Michael Porter Jr. (F, Denver Nuggets)
The departure of Caldwell-Pope leaves a significant void in the Nuggets’ starting lineup. Most likely, Braun will be promoted, but we’re talking about two players with very different characteristics. Porter Jr.’s shooting ability will be even more crucial to avoid clogging the paint and allowing Jokic to dominate inside.
Andrew Nembhard (G, Indiana Pacers)
The 2000-born Canadian surprised even the most skeptical last season. He significantly raised his game during the playoffs, particularly against the Knicks and Celtics, although it wasn’t enough. The Pacers’ core has remained unchanged, but the Florida product will have a more significant role in terms of responsibilities for the upcoming season.
The Most Interesting Rookies
Zach Edey (C, Memphis Grizzlies)
The former Purdue player, officially 224 cm tall, will fill the slot in the rotation left vacant by Steven Adams last year due to injury. Currently, we have no certainty that he will start right away. However, it’s clear that he doesn’t need to play 30 minutes to make a good impact on the game and his stats. His presence under the boards will definitely be felt.
Zaccharie Risacher (F, Atlanta Hawks)
The first pick of the 2024 Draft has found a home in Atlanta. The Hawks have little to lose and plan to start the Frenchman from the first games. Although there’s little hype around his name, the young small forward possesses all the qualities necessary to contend for the Rookie of the Year award.
Stephon Castle (G, San Antonio Spurs)
The 2004-born guard was selected by the Spurs with the fourth pick. Following the signing of Chris Paul, Castle will likely take on the role of guard. He will have plenty of minutes to showcase his skills, especially after yet another surgery that will keep Devin Vassell sidelined for the first month of the regular season.
The Big to Avoid
Joel Embiid (C, Philadelphia 76ers)
This section focuses on players who will come at very high costs, and among the top players, the 76ers star is the least reliable. Embiid’s recent comments have been quite clear: his goal is to arrive in perfect condition for the NBA playoffs. To achieve this, he will be managed carefully during the regular season, both in terms of games played and minutes on the court.
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Author: Team Dunkest
October 2, 2024 | 9:01 am